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One of the great opportunities available at PTG conferences is the one-on-one tutoring sessions. This year at Grand Rapids, we have two great tuning tutors:Bill Bremmer, RPT and Richard Ruggero, RPT.

Bill Bremmer, RPT is a seasoned tuning examiner who has nearly 40 years of experience as a piano technician. He is well known amongst fans of historical tuning for his Equal Beating Victorian Temperament, and his thoughtful contributions to discussions of historical tuning.

Richard Ruggero, RPT. - Owner and President of Ruggero Piano, Richard Ruggero is a 30 year seasoned veteran piano technician. He started his training in 1978 with founder and father, Robert Ruggero, and is a Registered Technician of the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG). He has taught at every level of conference and convention from local to national and is a three time conference director for the southeast Regional Conference of the PTG.

Thank you, Ryan. While I can teach anyone who is interested in the EBVT how to tune it aurally and/or use their ETD to tune it in the Direct Interval/program mode as I do, I am primarily interested in helping technicians pass the PTG Tuning Exam. I can help most of all, those who normally use an ETD learn how to tune ET by ear which is required. My newest concept, "ET via Marpurg" seems to work the best of all, according to the feedback I have received.

Anyone may download for free that article and others from my website at: www.billbremmer.comMy suggestion is to study that article first, then come to me for a one on one session, go back home and read it again and practice it. You WILL pass the exam!

By the way, I need to change my website to "40 years", not "almost 40" now that it is 2009. I have also taught tuning twice before at the PTG Annual Convention and at the PTG Central East Regional Seminar. I have been and will again be among the pool of tuning instructors at the Wednesday session of basic skills classes for those who are preparing for the PTG Exams.

I have often been an instructor at my local chapter level and have taught at the Chicago Chapter and am expected to return there again soon. Last year, I received my 25 year pin as an RPT. For anyone wanting to observe a PTG Exam Master Tuning, I will conduct one of those on Tuesday of Convention week. If there is anyone interested in training to be a PTG Tuning Examiner, please contact me at: billbrpt@charter.net

Thanks for the support, Jerry. I'm hoping that others will also include reasons for attending. I'm hoping to keep this thread near the top of the list until the convention!

The convention lost a bit of $$ last year due to lower numbers of attendance. So if we want to keep the quality up we need to encourage people to attend.

There are a lot of new people coming into the field the past few years. This convention is especially important for them. The information and inspiration to be gained is very worthwhile.

This is my first year on the institute committee (as an apprentice). Guess what my main role is? Piano moving grunt! I'm totally looking forward to it. It will be great to see what goes on behind the scenes more. Just reading the email discussions from the committee has been an education! These folks put so much time and energy into putting on a great show. The least we can do is show up!

Good for you, putting in the time, effort and sacrifice, Ryan. You will probably be missing out on a lot of amazing seminars by being involved behind the scenes.

What I am missing is more info on the web site. People need to plan early to travel and make plans for the whole family etc.

I would love to see more links with names of some lecturers and seminar descriptions.

I am always amazed that the National convention doesn't seem able to learn a bit more form those conventions that have an excellent history of doing an amazing job - the MARC comes to mind. They have their website up a year ahead of time and update it constantly.

I agree with you Jurgen. I've been wondered the same thing as you, why they don't have "who's who" posted on their home web site already with other possible places to stay as well.

Just west, across the river, down the road from the main hotel for example, is a Days Inn about one long block away that might be half the price of this hotel. We all need to know more information ASAP to plan according to our own personal needs, requirements and monetary abilities. Hope that web site I attached 2 or 3 postings above helps with this.

But, if you give all of us ONE dinner, that'll help everyone, won't it Jurgen?

Well Ryan, I admit, it has been many years since I've attended a convention. I've been to dozens and dozens of seminars over the years but, shameful me, hardly any conventions. So, they will be having two more faces for sure with my son and myself along with several others that I know of from my local PTG chapter as well. So, that will help. Now if we can get some of those to come on down from Canada too, (Ann & Dan & Emmery are you listening?? ) that'd be better still.

I often hear technicians say they just can’t afford to attend the annual PTG Institute. Sorry, but that’s not a fact, especially for those new to this industry. The truth is that attending the Institute will enable you to make more money. How?

I had been a technician for about five years when I attended an Institute with the entire purpose to improve my aural tuning skills. I attended almost every aural tuning class offered. Did my tuning skills improve? Certainly, but that was not what caused an increase in my income. What did cause the increase? During the classes, I noticed motions and methods the instructors were using that I was not using. By applying what I saw, within three months my tuning time was less by 20 minutes. My tunings were better and completed in less time.

Let’s see – 20 minutes times at least 600 tunings per year equals $12,000 PER YEAR! Did that institute pay for itself? Many, many times over! And that was income for just one year. That one Institute alone has paid for all the Institutes for the rest of my life.

That year, I was still building my business and my income was quite tight. What if I had said “I just can’t afford to attend this year.” I would likely still be saying I could not afford to attend.

What about you? Are you too short sighted to realize that Institute will make you money? Are you losing a lifetime of increased income from not planning now? Budget $5.00 from each tuning to pay for the Grand Rapids Institute. The theme this year is “Excellence Begins With The Basics.” Learn excellence from many of the best in our industry. You will reap benefits for the rest of your career.[/b]

I can only agree. The same thing goes for other learning materials such as books and the Journal. Quality tools as well, of course - if you are a professional, all of the above are wise investments. I am looking forward to the National in Grand Rapids very much.

“Well Ryan, I admit, it has been many years since I've attended a convention……………………………… Now if we can get some of those to come on down fromCanada too, (Ann & Dan & Emmery are you listening?? ) that'd be better still.”

I am coming to this thread late, and I just saw your posting there. Now the middle of July is a pretty tough time to leave the beaches around here, but I will let you know soon if I can get away. (My tennis racquet pretty much rules the months of July/August these days………..)

Do you know if the plans for having André Oorebeek do a one day seminar there have been finalized?

Another question.......Is that a bungalow doghouse that Ron Alexander is staying in or is it a two storey??

Sounds great, we had him do this at the seminar here on a C7; a brand new set of Renner AA Wurzen felt that he worked with. Some of his techniques for voicing procedures are used at the Bosie factory I understand.

André and his voicing procedures are well worth the look. I am glad I decided to attend the seminar here with him last July.

Roy, I signed up at the PTG website to receive emailing on up coming seminars. While, this year anyway, I cannot attend any seminars, I get about one sent to me a month, approximately that time frame anyway.

-------------------------------------------------quote:Well, that depends on how nice Ron is to me between now and THEN.-------------------------------------------------

I'm on my best behaviourousness Jerry. Honest. I'm being so good, even Santa Clause would be impressed!!! I know you are getting on up there in years Jer..hehe...you do remember who Santa Clause is dontcha!!! Guess I wont win any points with that one...huh?

I am looking forward to the Convention this year.I havent been to one since 1984 when it was held in Indianapolis. Looking forward to meeting some Forumites too!!!

Thanks. What I actually meant was other classes at the Grand Rapids convention. Don't they usually have several different all-day classes? Sorry I wasn't clear.

I did get a flyer for the California seminar yesterday. It looks good, but it's a little out of the way for me. But hey, if it stays as cold here as it is now, I may be looking for a flight out of town.

I've been to the MARC, and it certainly worth attending. Most years I haven't been able to attend the national, so I've gone to one of the regionals.

Roy, the National is within driving distance for you, I should think. No expensive flight, anyhow. Yes, the usually have some all day classes. As well they have several dozen other classes and seminars to chose from over the course of the convention. Hey, yours truly got a call today, asking if I could help out on a 2-session class on repair techniques. Looks like I'll have to get practicing...